MILWAUKEE — Former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, took the stage Wednesday night for the third night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Vance used the opportunity to share the story of his difficult upbringing and argue that his party is best equipped to understand the challenges that struggling Americans face.
The 39-year-old Ohio senator, who is not widely known in the political arena, delivered his first prime-time speech since becoming the vice presidential nominee.
Vance spoke of his impoverished childhood in Kentucky and Ohio, where his mother struggled with drug addiction and his father was absent. He also mentioned joining the military and eventually reaching top levels in U.S. politics.
Vance called on Republicans to rally behind Trump.
“We have a big tent in this party from everything from foreign policy to fiscal policy,” Vance said. “I have a message to you Republicans: We love this country, and we are united to win.”
Eyewitness News reporter Joe Bruno has been covering the convention and its ties to the Carolinas.
Nancy Mace takes the stage
Earlier in the night, a local congresswoman kicked things off.
The theme of the night was “Make America Strong Once Again” and South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace made the case to the nation that Trump’s strength has never been more on display than the past week.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC District 1, kicked off the evening’s speeches in Milwaukee. She shared her personal story going from a high school dropout to a Waffle House waitress and then becoming the first woman to graduate from The Citadel.
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Mace, who is represents Charleston, is also a single mom and rape survivor and told women she will fight for them.
Following the assassination attempt on Trump, Mace said anyone who thinks they can take him or America down is now on notice.
“Just as Trump quickly rose to his feet with a defiant fist in the air in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, when we re-elect him as president, America will soon be back on her (feet),” said Mace.
Mace dedicated some of her speech to foreign policy and said Trump will be tough on China.
From Iredell County to Milwaukee
Delegate Brian Summers from Iredell County spoke on Wednesday in support of Donald Trump and the party’s platform.
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The former President will take the stage Thursday night and so will former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board candidate Annette Albright.
>> Bruno will have LIVE coverage from the RNC all week. Stick with Channel 9 as he explains everything voters across the Carolinas need to know.
RNC Night 3 Lineup:
Times are subject to change. All times are in the Central time zone:
6-6:30PM
- Rep. Brian Mast (FL)
- Rep. Nancy Mace (SC)
- Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX)
- Ric Grenell, former Acting Director of National Intelligence
- Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL)
- Former Amb. Callista Gingrich
6:30-7PM
- Former Speaker Newt Gingrich
- Peter Navarro, former Director of U.S. Office of Trade & Manufacturing
- Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX)
- Thomas Homan, former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- David Lara, everyday American
- Jim Chilton, everyday American
7-7:30PM
- Gov. Greg Abbott (TX)
- Sarah Philips, everyday American
- Mayor Trent Conaway
- Gov. Doug Burgum (ND)
- Kellyanne Conway, former Counselor to the President
7:30-8PM
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL)
- Retired Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, everyday American
- Scott Neil, everyday American
- Kimberly Guilfoyle
8-8:30PM
- Rep. Michael Waltz (FL)
- Christy Shamblin, Cherly Juels, and Herman & Alicia Lopez
- Shabbos Kestenbaum, everyday American
8:30-9PM
- The Neutra Family, everyday American
- Sergeant William Pekrul, everyday American
9-9:30PM
- Donald J. Trump, Jr.
- Usha Chilukuri Vance
9:30-10PM
- Vice Presidential Nominee Sen. JD Vance
(WATCH BELOW: Nikki Haley, former GOP candidate, speaks at RNC)
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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